Archive 4/2006

Abstract

This article presents a capabilities-expectations analysis of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping. I use the capabilities-expectations gap analytical concept to examine and compare the actual UN peacekeeping capabilities and expectations in the post-Cold War era, and to assess the feasibility of two basic options for closing the large gap that has developed between the two since the early 1990s – a UN capabilities increase and/or a UN expectations decrease. I argue that as long as UN Member States continue to be unwilling and/or unable to provide political leadership, instruments and resources commensurate with the daunting tasks of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, a UN expectations decrease will remain the only feasible option for closing the gap between UN capabilities and expectations. As in the past, this means that the UN will constantly be forced to make Faustian choices between the quantity and quality of its peacekeeping operations. In the 21st century, however, the repercussions of both of these choices are likely to be more formidable than ever before. If UN peacekeeping suffers another high-profile failure because of a Rwanda-like inaction or a Srebrenica-like inadequate action, the UN’s collective security role is bound to be significantly eroded not only through a combination of limited resources and its Member State conflicts, but also by a substantially increased involvement of various non-UN actors, and by a growing sense of the limits of what can be expected of the UN.

Key words

Peacekeeping, United Nations, capabilites-expectations gap

Abstract

This article presents the initial results of a research project on the politics of local referendums in the Czech Republic, situating the Czech experience in the context of other Visegrad states. Data on Czech local referendums from 2000–2005 have been compiled from multiple sources – local and national newspapers, data from municipal, district and regional authorities, interviews, and statistical indicators – to ensure the completeness and comprehensiveness of the dataset. The article conceptualizes local referendums as the product of often arduous civic campaigns that, in the light of local political opposition, frequently fail to carry out the referendum. The study thus takes a referendum campaign’s level of “success” as the dependent variable, and considers a range of demographic, political and civic factors as independent variables. Quantitative as well as case-study evidence is provided. The article finds that of the 114 local referendum campaigns that were initiated from 2000–2005, 82 referendums were ultimately held, of which about 48 were initiated by environmental NGOs or directly addressed environmental issues. The key variables determining the success of local referendum campaigns are municipal size, referendum theme, and the legal capacities and campaign strategies of the referendum initiators. In that regard, environmental NGOs have demonstrated a high level of organizational and political efficacy in comparison to other actors.

Key words

direct democracy, local referendums, political participation, citizen initiatives, Czech politics

Abstract

Owing to the collapse of Cold War security systems, nuclear weapons proliferation remains an issue that attracts significant attention from scholars. The falling technological threshold for “rogue” states and increasing availability to terrorists keeps proliferation high on the scientific agenda (although the situation in the Czech Republic differs considerably). The pivotal point of the debate is theory. This paper introduces and critically discusses the most important theoretical approaches to nuclear weapons proliferation. The text successively examines theories based on technological determinants, external determinants, domestic determinants and last but not least alternative approaches that take into account concepts such as identity, beliefs and norms. The conclusion of the paper is that single-variable approaches to nuclear weapons proliferation are unable to offer appropriate explanations of the issue. Research should reflect the multivariable nature of the subject.

Key words

proliferation, nuclear weapons, theory of international relations

Abstract

The collection of essays “Political Marketing – A Comparative Perspective”, edited by Jennifer Lees-Marshment and Darren Lilleker, captures a considerable part of the evolution of ideal types of behavior regarding political parties. This review researches the developmental process by means of criteria set out by Max Weber for ideal types in social science. The later refinements of the criteria by the phenomenologist Alfred Schutz and sociologist Roger Carroll are also used. Sartori’s methodological debate is deployed as a frame from the perspective of the applicability of the comparative model. Neither Sartori’s rules for stretching, nor Schutz’s consistency, compatibility and adequacy are satisfactorily fulfilled. The setting of the model also casts doubts on the rigour of political marketing as a discipline.

Key words

deal type, political marketing, methodology, political party, adequacy, political party behaviour model, overstretching

Abstract

Michal Kubát. 2006. Vývoj a proměny státního zřízení Polska ve 20. století. Institucionálně politická studie, Praha: Dokořán, 237 pages.

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Abstract

Vít Dočkal, Petr Fiala, Petr Kaniok, a Markéta Pitrová (eds.). 2006. Česká republika v Evropské unii: evropský integrační proces a zájmy České republiky, Brno: MPÚ.

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Lubomír Kopeček. 2006. Demokracie, diktatury a politické stranictví na Slovensku, Brno, Centrum pro demokracii a kulturu, 1. vydání, 347 pages.

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